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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






2. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






3. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






4. A string of chords played in succession.






5. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






6. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






7. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






8. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






9. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






10. A short light musical drama.






11. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






12. A composition written for nine instruments.






13. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






14. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






15. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






16. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






17. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






18. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






19. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






20. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






21. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






22. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






23. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






24. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






25. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






26. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






27. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






28. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






29. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






30. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






31. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






32. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






33. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






34. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






35. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






36. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






37. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






38. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






39. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






40. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






41. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






42. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






43. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






44. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






45. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






46. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






47. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






48. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






49. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






50. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.